NI cancer care rated highly by 92% of patients surveyed

Patients who took part in the research were mostly positive about the care they received, with more than 80% saying they had confidence and trust in doctors

Nine out of 10 cancer patients who participated in a major new survey in Northern Ireland have rated their overall care as excellent or very good.

But the results suggest patients want more access to specialist nurses and information on operations and benefits.

More than 3,200 cancer patients took part in the research for the first report of its kind in Northern Ireland.

It was published by the Public Health Agency, the Health and Social Care Board and Macmillan Cancer Support.

The Cancer Patient Experience Survey (CPES) contained 79 questions covering all aspects of care.

'Positive'

It followed a similar survey carried in England last year, and the publishers said that slightly more patients in Northern Ireland (92%) rated their care as excellent or very good compared to respondents in England, where the figure was 89%.

Many elements of cancer care Northern Ireland, such as pain control, patient privacy and dignity, verbal communication before operations and treatment for the side-effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy were rated very highly by more than 80% of those who took part.

However, the survey has identified areas for improvement, including the allocation of a clinical nurse specialist (CNS), better written information in advance of operations and more information on the availability of financial support.

Heather Monteverde from the Macmillan cancer charity said patients must be given access to clinical nurse specialists

Dr Miriam McCarthy, Consultant in Public Health at the Public Health Agency (PHA), said: "In this first CPES for Northern Ireland, we are pleased to see that patients' overall views of the service and treatment they received are positive.

"However, there are areas where specific improvements can be made to ensure a better patient experience and, in this regard, the Northern Ireland CPES will be important in shaping the future of services for people with cancer."

'Improve access'

Heather Monteverde, head of Macmillan Services in Northern Ireland, said: "The message from patients is clear: they value the support of a clinical nurse specialist, who is their key contact throughout treatment.

"Having a CNS is the single most important factor associated with high patient scores.

"We need to improve access to clinical nurse specialists for everyone diagnosed with cancer - no matter where they live, how old they are, or what type of cancer they have," she added.

Waiting lists

Last month, statistics from the Department of Health showed that some patients with suspected cancer were not being examined early enough in Northern Ireland.

A government target, that says 95% of patients urgently referred by their doctor should begin treatment within 62 days, was not met in the second quarter of 2015.

During June, only 69% of patients were treated for cancer following an urgent GP referral - a drop of 10% from April.